Kia K5 Complaints

479 consumer complaints on file.

#11705473December 16, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The vehicle experiences severe stalling and loss of power while driving. When attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitates, shakes violently, and will not accelerate beyond approximately 10–20 mph. The vehicle then stalls completely and shuts off. These failures occur both after the vehicle has been parked and while actively driving. When placed in drive, the vehicle shakes aggressively and stalls. The check engine light is illuminated. The stalling has occurred multiple times in the middle of freeway traffic, creating an extreme safety hazard. My child has been in the vehicle during every occurrence. On one occasion, the vehicle shut off completely while on the freeway, placing our lives at risk and nearly resulting in a serious collision. This issue is unpredictable, persistent, and prevents safe operation of the vehicle. The vehicle has been inspected and worked on by Southwest Kia and A-Z Auto, but the defect continues to occur. I believe this is a manufacturing or design defect related to the engine or powertrain that poses a serious safety risk and should be investigated to determine whether other vehicles are affected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705470December 16, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Ever since I bought my car in July of 2025 cash I’ve been having issues. Shortly after purchasing my car began to stall , lose power repeatedly. I then took to southwest kia in Dallas they told me I had contaminated gas. They charged me $2,000 to clean my fuel lines , replace spark plugs & replace a fuel pressure sensor. Shortly after i got my car I had the same issues. I explained my concerns and they replaced my fuel tank free of charge. A week later same issue so I went to a local mechanic and he replaced another fuel pressure sensor a month passed same issues occurred at least 3 more times on 3 different occasions. I’ve had to get my car towed off the middle of the free way or road numerous of times. This has been a financial nightmare
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705327December 16, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2023 KIA K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000(Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705251December 16, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, the fuel level was lowering, and a fuel odor was entering the cabin of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. Upon further inspection, the contact became aware that fuel was leaking from the vehicle onto the ground. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Two local dealers were contacted: Boniface Hiers Kia (3890 W New Haven Ave, Melbourne, FL 32904). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705201December 15, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Took car to Kia for an oil change and car started driving weird . Rpm hand running high. Check engine light came on , took car to Kia and fuel tank was expanded . Car is still not fixed , and Kia won’t continue to pay for rental.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705129December 15, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am submitting this complaint regarding unresolved safety recalls affecting my Kia K5: Recall SC356 and Recall SC346. I have contacted my authorized Kia dealer multiple times over the past several months, yet no remedy has been provided. Most alarmingly, I was informed today that my recall “ticket” was closed without any repairs being completed, which is unacceptable. Recall SC356 involves a damaged fuel tank check valve that can allow air to enter the tank, causing it to expand and potentially contact hot exhaust components. This defect creates a serious fire hazard and poses a risk of injury, death, or property damage. Recall SC346 involves a supplier defect where the C-pillar garnish face plate may delaminate and detach from the vehicle. According to NHTSA (25V493), a detached face plate may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Warning signs include looseness, rattling, or wind noise. Both recalls represent clear safety risks, yet Kia and its dealer network have failed to provide a timely remedy or interim solution. Closing a recall case without performing mandated safety repairs is deeply concerning and exposes me and other road users to unnecessary danger. Due to the prolonged delay, repeated dealer contact, and continued exposure to known safety hazards, I am requesting: 1.Immediate reopening and escalation of my recall case 2.Prompt completion of all recall repairs or a clear timeline 3.Consideration of compensation or goodwill due to extended delay and safety risk
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704826December 13, 2025
AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Recall SC263) AIR BAGS THAT DO NOT DEPLOY (SC356)x2 A MELTED FUEL TANK CAN LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704815December 13, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
k5 car seat belt locked 2025 gt line fix replacement of the assembly Retraction Issue deployed Stuck
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704502December 11, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Within three days of purchase, the vehicle experienced a fuel system failure requiring the gas tank to be replaced. Shortly afterward, the check-engine light illuminated, indicating additional engine or emissions problems. The failures occurred without warning and made the vehicle unsafe to drive. The engine warning has continued to appear, suggesting a recurring or unresolved malfunction. The defects create risks including fuel leakage, stalling, engine shutdown, and potential fire hazard. The safety of the driver and others on the road is put at risk because the vehicle may fail while in motion. The problem appeared immediately after purchase and continues to recur. The dealer was notified but refused to diagnose or repair the vehicle further. No manufacturer inspection has occurred because the dealership declined to provide service. The warning light first appeared within the first week of ownership and has remained intermittent. The vehicle shows signs of unstable engine operation and ongoing system malfunction. The issue has been observed by the dealer, but they declined to perform proper diagnostics or repair. The defects are persistent and pose ongoing safety concerns.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703986December 9, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that days before the vehicle was scheduled for an unknown recall repair, while refueling, the contact observed gasoline pouring out of the tank. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the fuel tank had expanded due to fumes being trapped inside. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available for the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer has exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703918December 9, 2025
STRUCTURE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 25V493000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available and were on back order. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703177December 5, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2024 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair, and the contact was unable to ship the vehicle as planned. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703123December 4, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Had the sunroof sunshade open, and the sunroof has exploded spontaneously out of nowhere. Since i had the sunshade open, the glass pieces went all over me and my wife, it had first scared us cause it was like a gun being fired off in the car, and i could've gotten into an accident. No. the car hasn’t been seen by the dealership. Theres has been many reports about this issue, me personally im in a group and theres a few people on there that this has happened to. No warning before it happened, there was no sign of impact. looks like it just spontaneously exploded outwards.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702623December 3, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When engine is Idling the cabin immediately starts to smell completely like gasoline. This happens whether the A/C system is on or not. It’s so strong sometimes that I have to put my window down to release the fumes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702431December 2, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
My 2021 Kia K5 EX has a severe and unsafe steering problem. The vehicle consistently pulls hard to the right on its own, even on straight roads. If I loosen my grip even slightly, the car immediately veers to the right. The steering wheel does not stay centered, and I have to constantly fight the steering just to keep the car in the lane. This issue has continued despite multiple alignments, tire replacements, and inspections. Nothing has fixed the problem, and the steering behavior feels mechanical or electronic in nature. I no longer feel safe driving the vehicle because it feels like I could lose control at any time. Additionally, my vehicle is affected by the open recall (SC356 / NHTSA 25V794) involving fuel tank expansion and fire risk. The status says ‘Incompleted – remedy not available,’ meaning there is currently no repair solution. The combination of a steering defect and a fire-risk recall makes this vehicle unsafe to operate. I am reporting this because the steering issue appears to be a serious safety defect that needs investigation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700934November 22, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
For the past 16 months I have been experiencing a fuel odor in my vehicle cabin while idling or when in slow moving traffic. Knowing this likely is due to a fuel leak, I have taken it to the dealership 6 times to find the leak and remedy it. The dealership always finds something to repair/replace under warranty, however, the fuel smell persists. Over the past 16 months, this has increased in how strong the smell is and how often I am smelling it. It started out as only smelling fuel once a week or so. Now the smell is there during ever drive. It seems as though if my tank of 7/8 or above full, it does not smell for some reason. Upon searching online, many other K5 owners are experiencing the same exact issue and the dealership has been unable to resolve this. The vehicle has had 3 seperate recalls for fuel issues and I believe another is necessary regarding this because the recalls has not fixed the fuel leak I and many others are experiencing. Kia is doing the bare minimum to resolve this and my children are breathing fuel fumes consequently. Please note, not all my repair invoices are attached. I do not have access to all of them at this time
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700548November 20, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My 2022 Kia K5 EX has a serious fuel-system safety defect involving fuel tank expansion, which caused rear seat pan deformation and rear seat strap deformation. Kia America’s engineering review confirmed this in their findings. The fuel tank expansion caused the rear seat to lift/warp from underneath, creating a risk of fuel leakage, fire, and structural failure in a crash. This is a significant safety concern for occupants and the public. Kia America acknowledged this safety defect in a letter dated October 15, 2025 and stated it is “consistent with the fuel tank expansion condition.” They offered to repurchase the vehicle due to this safety issue. (Letter attached.) Because of this defect, my vehicle has been out of service for 78 days and is not safe to drive. I use this vehicle as my primary source of income for full-time rideshare work, which has caused severe loss of income. Due to the extended loss of use and financial hardship, I am now at risk of repossession, even though the vehicle is unsafe because of a manufacturer-confirmed defect. Despite Kia acknowledging the defect, no recall has been issued, which raises concern that other drivers may still be using potentially unsafe vehicles. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate this defect for potential recall action.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697698November 5, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that fuel odor was entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s seat seemed to be inflated. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact became aware of fuel squirting out of the fuel filler neck. The fuel gauge fluctuated from full tank to half tank or empty. There was no warning light illuminated. The fuel odor became stronger, and the contact pulled over to the side of the road at a rest stop. A mobile service tech arrived to inspect the vehicle but found no failures. The contact continued driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who found that the fuel tank and fuel line had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer sent a photo to the manufacturer to confirm the necessary repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and determined that the fuel tank and PCV valve were swollen and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer offered a buy-back for the vehicle and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697687November 5, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
KIA has hasd a recall since July of 2025 and the part to fix the back window trim. The part was supposed to be ready to ne installed by Oct of 2025. It is Nov 5 2025 and the part is still unavailable. KIA is in no hurry or rush to get this recalled.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696699October 30, 2025
ENGINE
no power at all all most in a accident with it when it lost power they said it’s the turbo l paid 33,000 for this car it had 35000 miles on it has 103000 on it when it lost power
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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